Artificial eyelash containers

ABSTRACT

An artificial eyelash container for securely holding items, such as artificial eyelashes or eyelash packages is provided. In one embodiment, the artificial eyelash container includes a body and a tray. The body forms a cavity therewithin and defines a longitudinal axis. The tray includes an upright member extending parallel to the axis and a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart crossmembers extending from the upright member perpendicular to the axis. The artificial eyelash container further includes a base, which is configured to be attached to the body. The body can be in the shape of a mascara bottle and may include a dividing indicator to create the visual impression of a bottle cap.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure relates to artificial eyelash containers shaped as a mascara bottle for holding and/or displaying artificial eyelashes.

BACKGROUND

As an alternative to or in addition to mascara, eyelash lengthening, darkening or thickening may be accomplished by attaching artificial eyelashes to a user's eyelids to enhance the appearance of the eyelashes. Artificial eyelashes are generally packaged in a generic-looking rectangular or square shaped container or box. The user may tear the package open to retrieve a particular set of artificial eyelashes or accessories from the container, and subsequently retrieve additional sets of artificial eyelashes or accessories from the opened container.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure, in part, is directed to artificial eyelash containers shaped as a mascara bottle for holding and/or displaying artificial eyelashes. Traditional containers for artificial eyelashes can be functionally unsatisfactory, because they may not be easy to re-seal once torn open. Moreover, in some cases, retrieving the artificial eyelashes or other accessories from the torn package can be difficult or cumbersome. Additionally, generic-looking or square shaped containers may lack an aesthetic appearance. In this regard, a generic-looking rectangular container may not be very appealing or marketable to a customer. An artificial eyelash container recognizable by a customer from a distance would be desirable. It would be also desirable to allow a customer or user to check the product contained in the container through a display window.

According to one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, an artificial eyelash container includes a body forming a cavity therewithin and defining a longitudinal axis, and a tray disposed within the cavity. The tray comprises an upright member extending parallel to the axis and a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart crossmembers extending from the upright member perpendicular to the axis.

According to another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, an artificial eyelash container comprises a body defining a longitudinal axis, and the body has a semi-circular cross-sectional area when viewed along a direction parallel to the axis. The body forms a cavity therewithin, and the body includes a dividing indicator perpendicular to the axis to create the visual impression of a bottle cap. The artificial eyelash container further includes a base configured to be attached to the body, the base defining a base cavity having a first cross-sectional area of a congruent shape with a second cross-sectional area of the cavity when viewed perpendicular to the axis. The artificial eyelash container also includes a tray disposed within the cavity, the tray comprising an upright member extending parallel to the axis and a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart crossmembers extending from the upright member perpendicular to the axis for holding at least one of artificial eyelashes and eyelash packages. Finally, the artificial eyelash container also comprises a window defined by the body, the window configured to display at least in part the at least one of the artificial eyelashes and/or the eyelash packages therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the present disclosure may be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an artificial eyelash container, according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the artificial eyelash container of FIG. 1, illustrating a body, a window, a tray, and a base;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the artificial eyelash container of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of a tray with a cover tray in the artificial eyelash container, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated in FIG. 1

FIG. 5 is a top view of a tray and a cover tray in the artificial eyelash container, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated in FIG. 1

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an artificial eyelash container, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a base in the artificial eyelash container, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cover sheet in the artificial eyelash container, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated in FIG. 6.

The reader will appreciate the foregoing details, as well as others, upon considering the following detailed description of certain non-limiting embodiments of artificial eyelash containers according to the present disclosure. The reader may also comprehend certain of such additional details upon using the artificial eyelash containers described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure, in part, is directed to artificial eyelash containers that are configured to allow a user to securely store artificial eyelashes. “Artificial eyelashes” as used herein refers to a device including a plurality of strands that are not part of an individual's body for application to the eyelid. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the strands are coupled to a spine or base strand. In certain other non-limiting embodiments, the strands are not coupled to a spine or base strand, and are applied individually and directly to an individual's eyelid and/or eyelashes. The artificial eyelashes can be made from strands that may have been cleaned and dried, by tying the strands to a spine or base strand, trimming the strands to desired lengths, and curling the strands to provide a natural look. The artificial eyelashes stored on a tray within the container described herein may not be easily falling out or become lost.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar components may be designated by the same or similar reference numerals although they are illustrated in different drawings. Detailed descriptions of constructions or processes known in the art may be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present disclosure. Further, in the following description of the present disclosure, various specific definitions found in the following description are provided only to provide a general understanding of the present disclosure, and it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be implemented without such definitions.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the illustrated artificial eyelash container 100 includes a body 110 and a tray 120. The body 110 forms a cavity therewithin and defines a longitudinal axis 116. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the body 110 has at least one semicircular cross-sectional area 111 when viewed along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 116, but the cross-sectional area 111 may have other shapes, e.g., a rectangular shape. The body 110 may be in the shape of a mascara bottle. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the body 110 is tapered at least toward one end of the body 110 along the axis 116, but the body 110 may also be non-tapered. In further embodiments, the body 110 defines a body centerline 117 perpendicular to the axis 116, and is tapered toward each end of the body 110 along the axis 116 from the body centerline 117.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the body 110 can be made of plastic or similar light weight material. For example, the body 110 may be a plastic made through a vacuum formed or injection-molded process. The body 110 may be translucent, transparent, opaque, or any combination thereof. In other embodiments, the body 110 can be made of metal or similar strong material providing for enhanced strength and rigidity of the body 110. In further embodiments, any material known in the art with similar characteristics can be used to produce the body 110. In further embodiments, the body 110 may be made of a combination of different materials (e.g., plastic or similar lightweight material and metal or similar strong material).

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the body 110 comprises a dividing indicator 115 perpendicular to the axis 116 to create the visual impression of a bottle cap. In the illustrated embodiment, the dividing indicator 115 is a groove in the surface of the body 110. In other embodiments, the dividing indicator 115 can be a marking on the surface of the body 110. In still other embodiments, the dividing indicator 115 can include a raised surface having the shape of a strip when viewed from the front.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in certain non-limiting embodiments, the tray 120 comprises an upright member 121 extending parallel to the axis 116 and a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart crossmembers 122 extending from the upright member 120 perpendicular to the axis 116. The tray 120 is disposed within the cavity formed in the body 110. The tray 120 is configured to hold items, such as a set of an artificial eyelash (not shown) or an eyelash package 130. In certain non-limiting embodiments, each crossmember 122 includes raised surfaces relative to adjacent portions of the tray 120. The upright member 121 and crossmember 122 allow the items to be held in an upright and organized manner. In other embodiments, the tray 120 may include openings (not shown) arranged in a grid pattern or various other patterns (e.g., having curved crossmembers). In further embodiments, the tray 120 may be flat without any partitions. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the height of the crossmember 122 is lower than the height of the upright member 121 so that a user can easily pick up the set of an artificial eyelash or eyelash package 130 with fingers. In other embodiments, the height of the crossmember 122 is the same or higher than the height of the upright member 121.

The tray 120 can be made of various plastics or similar lightweight materials by a vacuum formed or injection molded process. In other embodiments, the tray 120 can be made of metal or similar strong material providing for enhanced strength and rigidity of the tray 120. In further embodiments, the tray 120 may be made of a combination of different materials (e.g., plastic or similar lightweight material and metal or similar strong material). In certain non-limiting, the tray 120 has a similar shape as the body 110 to prevent the tray 120 from moving within the cavity.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the tray 120 further includes a cover tray 140. The cover tray 140 and the tray 120 together form a hollow interior space for holding items, such as artificial eyelashes (not shown) or the eyelash package 130. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the cover tray 140 is configured to hold the items sufficiently tightly to prevent the items from moving within the cavity.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the artificial eyelash container 100 further includes a base 150. The base 150 is configured to be attached to the body 110. The base 150 defines a base cavity and has a first cross-sectional area with a second cross-sectional area of the cavity when viewed perpendicular to the axis 116. The first cross-sectional area has a congruent shape with the body and is adapted to matingly receive the body 110. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the base 150 also defines a base centerline 157 perpendicular to the axis 116, and includes a recess 170 proximate the centerline 157 to facilitate the separation of the body 110 from the base 150. In other embodiments, the recess 170 can be located at any other part of the base 150.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the base 150 can be made of plastic or similar light weight material. For example, the base 150 may be a plastic made through a vacuum formed or injection-molded process. The base 150 may be translucent, transparent, or opaque. In other embodiments, the base 150 can be made of metal or similar strong material providing for enhanced strength and rigidity of the base 150. In further embodiments, any material known in the art with similar characteristics can be used to produce the base 150.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the base 150 may include a top wall 151, a bottom wall 152, and side walls 153 for connecting to the body 110. The base 150 may further include a bottom 154 connected to the top wall 151, bottom wall 152, and side walls 153 of the base 150. The base 150 may be roughly in the shape of a mascara bottle when viewed from the outside. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the base 150 is tapered at least toward one end of the body 110 along the axis 116. In further embodiments, the base is tapered toward each end of the base along the axis 116 from the base centerline 157.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the base 150 comprises a second dividing indicator 155 perpendicular to the axis 116 to create the visual impression of a bottle cap. The second dividing indicator 155 can be a groove in the surface of the base 150 or a marking on the surface of the base 150. In still other embodiments, the second dividing indicator 155 can include a raised surface having the shape of a strip when viewed from the front.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the body 110 is configured to be connected to the base 150 by friction fit. In other embodiments, the body 110 is hingedly connected to the base 150. In further embodiments, the body 110 may be joined to the base 150 by a snap fit, interlocking tabs, or any other suitable manners.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the artificial eyelash container 100 further includes a window 160 defined by the body 110. The window 160 is configured to display at least in part the artificial eyelashes (not shown) or the eyelash packages 130 therein. The window 160 may be translucent, transparent, or even slightly opaque. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the window 160 is of a rectangular shape with at least one inverted rounded corner when viewed along a direction perpendicular to the axis 116. In other embodiments, the window assume any other shapes, including, but not limited to, a square, rectangle, circle, semi-circle, triangle, rhombus, trapezoid, and combinations thereof.

In use of the artificial eyelash container 100, the user can check the product contained in the artificial eyelash container 100 through the window 160, and purchase the container having the desired products. To retrieve certain eyelash packages 130, the user can grasp the body 110 and the base 150 and pull them laterally away from each other, thereby exposing the tray 120. The artificial eyelash container 100 can be subsequently closed by coupling the body 110 to the base 150. Thus, the artificial eyelash container 100 described herein can make storing and retrieving artificial eyelashes or eyelash packages tidy and user-friendly.

FIG. 6 illustrates the artificial eyelash container according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The artificial eyelash container 200 in this embodiment includes a body 210, a tray 220, a base 250, and a cover sheet 270. Referring to FIG. 7, the base 250 defines a base cavity and has a first cross-sectional area with a second cross-sectional area of the cavity when viewed perpendicular to the axis 216. According to certain non-limiting embodiments, the base 250 includes a front wall 251, a top wall 252, a bottom wall 253, and side walls 254. The front wall 251 is configured to receive the body 210. According to certain non-limiting embodiments, the front wall 251 includes an indented surface 256 that forms a base cavity. According to certain non-limiting embodiments, the indented surface has a congruent shape with the body 210 and is adapted to matingly receive the body 210.

The base 250 can be made of plastic or similar light weight material. For example, the base 250 may be a plastic made through a vacuum formed or injection-molded process. The base 250 may be translucent, transparent, or opaque. In other embodiments, any material known in the art with similar characteristics can be used to produce the base 250.

Referring to FIG. 8, in the illustrated embodiment the cover sheet 270 has a hollow interior space 276 in the shape of the body 210 so that the cover sheet 270 can hold the body 210 and prevent the body 210 from moving therewithin. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover sheet 270 further includes a front wall 271, a top wall 272, a bottom wall 273, and side walls 274. In the illustrated embodiment, the front wall 271 is configured to connect to the base 250 and includes the hollow interior space 276 to hold the body 210. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the cover sheet 270 further comprises a dividing indicator 275 perpendicular to the axis 216 to create the visual impression of a bottle cap. The dividing indicator 275 can be a groove in the surface of the cover sheet 270 or a marking on the surface of the cover sheet 270. In still other embodiments, the dividing indicator 275 can include a raised surface having the shape of a strip when viewed from the front.

The cover sheet 270 can be made of plastic or similar light weight material. For example, the cover sheet 270 may be a plastic made through a vacuum formed or injection-molded process. The cover sheet 270 may be translucent, transparent, opaque, or any combination thereof. In other embodiments, any material known in the art with similar characteristics can be used to produce the cover sheet 270.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the cover sheet 270 is configured to be connected to the base 250 by friction fit. In other embodiments, the cover sheet 270 is hingedly connected to the base 250. In further embodiments, the cover sheet 270 may joined to the base 250 by a snap fit, interlocking tabs, or any other suitable manners. Referring also to FIG. 6, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the base 250 and the cover sheet 270 further includes a hook-hole 257, 277, respectively, so that the artificial eyelash container 200 can be hung on display hooks in stores.

Remaining features and characteristics of the artificial eyelash container 200 illustrated and described with respect to FIGS. 6-8 in which the tray 220 is disposed within the cavity formed in the body 210 can otherwise be similar or the same as those described with the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-5 including but not limited to certain components and shapes of any of the body 210 or the tray 220, as well as the possible presence and shape of a semicircular cross-sectional area 211, a dividing indicator 215, an upright member 221, a crossmember 222, a cover tray (not shown), and a window 260 as described and illustrated herein.

In use of the artificial eyelash container 200, the user can view the product container in the artificial eyelash container 200 through the window 260, and purchase the container having the desired products. To access the body 210 of the artificial eyelash container 200, the user can grasp the base 250 and the cover sheet 270, and pull the cover sheet 270 away from the base 250, thereby exposing the body 210. To retrieve certain eyelash packages, the user can subsequently grasp the body 210 and the base 250, and pull the body 210 away from the base 250, thereby exposing the tray 220. The artificial eyelash container 200 can be subsequently closed by coupling the body 210 to the base 250. Thus, the artificial eyelash container 200 described herein can make storing and retrieving artificial eyelashes or eyelash packages tidy and user-friendly.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims. 

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A container comprising: a body forming a cavity therewithin and defining a longitudinal axis; and a tray disposed within the cavity, the tray comprising an upright member extending parallel to the axis and a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart crossmembers extending from the upright member perpendicular to the axis.
 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a groove perpendicular to the axis to create the visual impression of a bottle cap.
 3. The container of claim 1, wherein the body is in the shape of a mascara bottle and the tray is configured to hold artificial eyelashes.
 4. The container of claim 1 further comprising a base defining a base cavity having a first cross-sectional area of a congruent shape with a second cross-sectional area of the cavity when viewed perpendicular to the axis.
 5. The container of claim 4, wherein the body is hingedly connected to the base.
 6. The container of claim 4, wherein the body is configured to be connected to the base by friction fit.
 7. The container of claim 4, wherein the base defines a base centerline perpendicular to the axis, and wherein the base includes a recess proximate the centerline.
 8. The container of claim 1, wherein the body is tapered at least toward one end of the body along the axis.
 9. The container of claim 1, wherein the body defines a body centerline perpendicular to the axis, and wherein the body is tapered toward each end of the body along the axis from the body centerline.
 10. The container of claim 1, wherein the body has a semicircular cross-sectional area when viewed along a direction parallel to the axis.
 11. The container of claim 1, wherein the body includes a transparent window.
 12. The container of claim 1, wherein each crossmember includes raised surfaces relative to adjacent portions of the tray.
 13. The container of claim 11, wherein the window is of a rectangular shape with at least one inverted rounded corner when viewed along a direction perpendicular to the axis.
 14. An artificial eyelash container comprising: a body defining a longitudinal axis, the body having a semi-circular cross-sectional area when viewed along a direction parallel to the axis, the body forming a cavity therewithin, and the body comprising a dividing indicator perpendicular to the axis to create the visual impression of a bottle cap; a base configured to be attached to the body, the base defining a base cavity having a first cross-sectional area of a congruent shape with a second cross-sectional area of the cavity when viewed perpendicular to the axis; a tray disposed within the cavity, the tray comprising an upright member extending parallel to the axis and a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart crossmembers extending from the upright member perpendicular to the axis for holding at least one of artificial eyelashes and eyelash packages; and a window defined by the body, the window configured to display at least in part the at least one of the artificial eyelashes and the eyelash packages therein.
 15. The artificial eyelash container of claim 14, wherein the body is in the shape of a mascara bottle.
 16. The artificial eyelash container of claim 14, wherein the base defines a base centerline perpendicular to the axis, and wherein the base includes a recess proximate the centerline.
 17. The artificial eyelash container of claim 14, wherein the body defines a body centerline perpendicular to the axis, and wherein the body is tapered toward each end of the body along the axis from the body centerline.
 18. The artificial eyelash container of claim 14, wherein the body is tapered along at least toward one end of the body along the axis.
 19. The artificial eyelash container of claim 14, wherein each crossmember includes raised surfaces relative to adjacent portions of the tray.
 20. The artificial eyelash container of claim 14, wherein the body is hingedly connected to the base.
 21. The artificial eyelash container of claim 14, wherein the body is configured to be connected to the base by friction fit.
 22. The artificial eyelash container of claim 14, wherein the window is of a rectangular shape with at least one inverted rounded corner when viewed along a direction perpendicular to the axis.
 23. The artificial eyelash container of claim 14, wherein the tray further includes a cover tray, the cover tray and the tray together forming a hollow interior space for holding the at least one of the artificial eyelashes and the eyelash packages.
 24. The artificial eyelash container of claim 14, wherein the dividing indicator is a groove in the surface of the body.
 25. The artificial eyelash container of claim 14, wherein the dividing indicator is a marking on the surface of the body. 